Thread: Theory V Practicality

Some see value where others don't or more likely and to be blunt can't afford to go or more commonly would rather buy a table saw and associated machinery instead of the dust extraction. If someone asks I always say if you buy a Clearvue then allow the same amount in installation. It usually works out that the installation costs less than the cyclone purchase but not by a lot. It could be likened to the difference between a $2000 dollar lens and a $20,000 dollar lens, they both take the same picture at the end of the day so why bother? I have had this conversation before and the ultimate answer is...they are your lungs and you will live with the result, harsh but true.

If we did not build dust traps for sheds then we could possibly get away from such an expense but we don't, why do we continue to do that? I have asked this question many times and no one answers it.

If you are buying pipe and fittings from places like Bunnings the costs can indeed be crippling. Here in Perth we have few advantages over east coast suppliers but we do have Pipeco and their prices are nowhere near as savage as most other places.

If you are on a tight budget don't try to do it all in one go.
Start by installing just the trunk line and Y's and cap the Y ports you are not using. Then systematically connect up the dustiest machines over time.
It's taken me ~5 years to build up my (17 gate) system to where it is close to being finished. Unless you are made of $ and can afford to buy 6" blast gates then you'll be making your own anyway and that takes time.

Don't forget not all machines need or even can use 6" ducting
Single 4" ducting is "good enough" for a drill press, and 2x4" will deal with a small bandsaw whereas for a larger one you'll need 3 x 4" ducting.

Don't forget general ventilation as a way to vent fine dust, it won't collect your chips but a $150 exhaust fan can move a lot of fine dust.

I started out with a 2HP dusty, modified it as per the sticky in the DC forum section and changed out my 4 inch system to 6 inch. Was about $600 in pipe and fittings. System wasn't bad but far from great.

Then I saw Jay Bates (youtube woodworker) go to hospital due to dust affecting his lungs, one of the older guys at the local mens WW group now rolls around with an oxygen bottle and my FIL is now showing signs of it getting to him.

That was enough for me to put all future purchases aside and go all out on dust collection and ventilation.
My thoughts were simple - can't buy new lungs.

Those in WA are spoiled with pipeonline. For instance, a 150mm female female 90 degree bend is approx $10 from pipeonline and $19 trade in Sydney for a single unit.

However, a 6m length of DWV pipe cost me $65 and did most of my shed. I bought a 2m length to finish off a section and it cost $38

So the idea is to plan and buy in bulk.

Pipeonline will not send pipe but will send fittings. They are nice people to deal with - email them for a quote on items and shipping costs.

Originally Posted by Lappa

Those in WA are spoiled with pipeonline. For instance, a 150mm female female 90 degree bend is approx $10 from pipeonline and $19 trade in Sydney for a single unit.

You should be be looking at the DWV 88° bends rather than the stormwater 90's...

Have a look at Samios Plumbing Supplies as they have decent pricing on certain fittings... Not WA pricing, but better than most other places.

My apologies, the single fitting I bought for $19 two weeks ago was a DWV 88 degree bend.

I try to buy local but avoid Reece Plumbing like the plague. I have a Trade Link and a local Plumbing/Electrical which are on par.

150mm x 6M pvc stormwater local Tradelink $102.oo Bunnings advertise although need to confirm the local store carries this $68.oo

Originally Posted by Tonto

150mm x 6M pvc stormwater local Tradelink $102.oo Bunnings advertise although need to confirm the local store carries this $68.oo

Pipeonline/Pipeco currently charges $52 for 6m. When I bought my first 2 x 6m lengths in 2010 it was $42/length.
I was at Pipeco just last week, they are about 20 minutes from my place. A very pleasant bunch of guys and gals and they do indeed provide great service.
They like me because I direct all the WA men's sheds their way for all their ducting and compressed air tubing requirements.
I have never got anything extra out of them for this, I'm just glad to have a place that won't gut my credit card too badly because I do go there quite often and I use plastic pipe and fittings for all sorts of non-dust related projects.

all good if your in WA, I'll chase them up but I think freight to me would be the killer.

ignorance here dwv & stormwater are the joins etc inter changeable?

Originally Posted by Tonto

ignorance here dwv & stormwater are the joins etc inter changeable?

Yes except there are no 100mm stormwater fittings and no 90 mm DWV fittings

so going by yours BobL recomendations and others I am trying to formulate a plan starting with 150mm pipe and reducing where required to 100mm or (yukes) smaller.

How do I plan this, considering I'll be buying 6m PVC pipe from Adel an having it brought over on one lge trailer the fitting I would like to get online...

Stick to 100mm DWV (sewerage) fittings below 150mm. 100mm DWV pipe and fittings are cheap enough and if you start introducing 90mm stormwater into the equation you'll end up doing your head in (and you get over 20% more air flow with 100mm over 90mm). Two sizes are enough to wrestle with.

another q while on a roll..................BobL you mentioned #3
drill press 1 x 4"
lge band saw 3 x 4"

is there a recommended/suggestion list for other machines

Router Table
4" jointer
table top thicknesser
Carbatec/generic table saw
leadercraft combination sander
SWMBO
Symtec lathe.

not asking much I know, but after 25 years of dreaming I am finally getting a workshop together and it will most likely be my only chance so dont want to stuff things up and have to fork out extra $$$ would prefer to do it right first time. Yes I know machines may move around but if I start off with appropriate connections to tools.machines then I am one step ahead.
Arbortec stuff carving